Word: Controvert

controvert

[ kon-truh-vurt, kon-truh-vurt ]

verb (used with object)

to argue against; dispute; deny; oppose.

to argue about; debate; discuss.

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               “Man, this sucks.” Tod said.  He slumped into the thinly padded seat with his arms crossed.  “There aren’t any hot girls around.”

               “You know, not everything is about T & A.” Tyler said.  He sat much straighter in his seat.  He did shift around slightly in a futile effort to make himself more comfortable though. 

               “Yeah, but all that stuff’s boring.”

               “We’re here to expand your mind, Tod.  The least you can do is try and pay attention.”

               Tod rolled his eyes, but did sit a little straighter in his seat. 

               “So, what’s this debate about anyway?”

               “You know, the flyer didn’t give an exact subject.  All it said was that it’ll be about the nature of reality and the world we live in.”

               “Oh yeah, sounds riveting.” Tod let the sarcasm drip from his mouth like a bitter syrup.

               “I’m sure it won’t be that bad.” Tyler said.  “It’ll probably involve a lot of sci-fi stuff.”

               “Meh.  Only good part about sci-fi is hot girl in tight outfits.”

               Tyler glared at his friend. “You are a horrible person, you know that, right?”

               “No, I just know what I like is all.”

               The lights in the community center room dimmed and two people stepped up to each of the podiums that had been set up for the small debate.  One was a young man, the other a woman of around the same age.  Both were dressed well, in crisp, well made suits.  Even if the venue was not large, they were both taking the debate seriously.

               Tod perked up immediately upon seeing the female debater.

               “Hey now, she’s pretty hot.” He said.

               “Seriously?  That’s the first thing you see?”

               “What?  She is.  Hey, you think after the debate I can get her number?”

               Tyler sighed.  “She’s not here to get hit on.  She’s here to have an intellectual debate on the nature of reality.  Giving out phone numbers to some random guy in the audience is probably not high on her to-do list.”

               Tod shrugged.  “Hey, worth a shot, right?”

               “Oh, be quiet, they’re starting.”

               Both debaters had gathered small stacks of index cards.  An older man stood between them to act as moderator.  The man looked like he wanted to be anywhere else, but he still gave a quick run through of what was going to happen.  It was all standard stuff.  One would give a timed statement, and then the other would get an equal amount of time to reply.  They would take turns giving a statement and replying in this way for a set amount of time, and then a few questions would be asked of both.

               “You may now each give a short opening statement.” The moderator said. 

The young woman was chosen to go first.  She adjusted the cheap microphone, cleared her throat and began.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what I have here is undeniable proof that the world is not like what we have been taught.  At first, you will think I’m either crazy or stupid.  However, I assure you I am neither of those things.  I come here to educate and inform you.  I come here to tell you that the planet we live on is flat.”

The audience groaned.  Some laughed at the claim.  Tod and Tyler looked at each other and grimaced.

“Still want her number?” Tyler asked.

“Nope.  Not enough pretty in the world to outweigh that amount of crazy.”

“Oh good, there is hope for you.”

“Hey now, even I have some standards, you know.  Now shut up and let’s watch this idiot get destroyed.”

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Ah flat earthers.  So much fun to watch them try and prove something that's clearly false.  Just watch them self destruct and not even realize it.  At the same time, it's also quite sad.